Chapter 391: Grandmaster's Treat, Wahuang's Lifetime

Just like that, it's decided?

Of course!

The Dao Ancestor and Xihuang happily reached an agreement.

For the Dao Ancestor, this is a safety‑net insurance; should he ever fail, at least he won't lose everything and may hope to turn things around; for Xihuang, it's a promising start, indicating his envisioned venture has great potential.

The insurance industry is exactly the line of work most suited for experts in the Dao of Changes; it sounds respectable, far above the level of roadside fortune‑telling stalls.

Most important, though, is the margin for error!

If calculated correctly, it's pure profit from premiums—getting something for nothing.

If miscalculated, there's no loss of reputation; it's just paying out insurance claims… in fact, the more you pay, the more customers come knocking.

Fortune‑telling? No good.

Insurance? Good!

Likewise, conversely… the insurance industry is also the one most in need of experts in the Dao of Changes to join.

After all, determining whether customer information is omitted or misreported, thereby setting premiums, payout ratios, etc., is a tedious affair, consuming excessive manpower and resources, turning into hard‑earned money.

Moreover, after waiting one cycle of reincarnation, Houtu leaves a sliver of life for humanity; even if one falls, after eighteen years they become a fine fellow again, able to turn their fortune and be reborn well… who knows if customers carry grudges from past lives or even earlier, to be settled in this life?

Such customers are indeed the natural nemesis of many insurance industry workers, unbeknownst to them they get ensnared.

Only those who cultivate the Heavenly Mechanism Arts can mix into this murky water and profit from it.

Seeing who is prone to bloodshed disasters yet still comes to buy insurance, they persuade them not to take personal accident coverage.

Even if the customer's attitude is resolute.

Then one can still adjust the premium, right!

Either way, there's no loss.

By the way, one can also hone their Heavenly Mechanism Arts skill, achieving notable accomplishment in the Dao of Changes.

Badass experts in the Dao of Changes have all gone to work in the insurance industry.

All that's left are miserable nobodies, still setting up roadside stalls.

Fuxi the Great Sage, as the sole leader of the Dao of Changes in the present Honghuang, is the grandmaster of the Heavenly Mechanism Arts lineage.

He opened a door to a glittering world of gold for countless disciples.

Truly—Grandmaster treats us to a meal!

Come.

Xihuang smiled, took out a thick stack of jade slips, three copies, and handed them to the Dao Ancestor, saying, 'Have a look; this is our detailed contract.'

'The premiums are here, the compensation scope is here…'

'If there are no other issues, please sign your Daoist name and leave your mark with the Pangu Committee.'

Hongjun listened, tossing his duster aside, no longer putting on airs.

He fluently flipped through the contract, interpreting its meaning, nodding now and then, quite experienced.

Finally, he signed his Daoist name with flourish.

'One copy, you keep it.'

'One copy, I'll keep it.'

'The last copy, submit it to the shared insurance coffer of the Pangu Committee.'

Fuxi arranged it very properly, just like the real thing.

'Wishing us a pleasant cooperation?'

'Pleasant cooperation!'

Hongjun and Fuxi exchanged a smile; everything was understood without words.

Hongjun and Fuxi exchanged a smile, everything understood without words.

'I'm so pitiful.'

While shady dealings were underway in the Purple Cloud Palace,

at the Dividing Treasure Cliff, Fengxi felt very sad, very upset.

He didn't know what was happening.

Such an upright, benevolent Great Luo, yet a mighty adept, actually failed to earn the favor of any innate spiritual treasure?!

'Is there still any heavenly principle?'

Fengxi's gaze was sorrowful, his heart filled with mixed feelings, yet he could do nothing but watch helplessly as others reaped profits.

Among them, the Numinous Treasure Heavenly Venerable is quite a looker.

He stood with hands behind his back, silently in place, and one innate spiritual treasure after another came to him of its own accord.

Sea‑Stabilizing Divine Pearl, Primordial Golden Dipper, Golden Rosy Crown…

Dozens he had.

Other Great Luo divinities glanced askance, their eyes flickering with thought.

However, the Numinous Treasure Heavenly Venerable wasn't particularly excited, his face showing a hint of desolation.

However, the Numinous Treasure Celestial Venerable was not particularly excited, their face showing a hint of desolation.

Just then, Wahuang snapped his fingers; a Merit Sun rose behind him, drawing many eyes away from the Numinous Treasure Heavenly Venerable.

Just then, Nüwa snapped their fingers; behind them, a wheel of merit sun rose, drawing many people's attention away from the Numinous Treasure Celestial Venerable.

It illuminated eternity, exuding extravagant grandeur.

Below the Dividing Treasure Cliff.

Merit Sun.

Merit Sun.

This time, this place, this feeling, this scene.

It was just like at a talent market, a big boss of a famous company pulling a cart of banknotes to the scene, placing it there as a temptation, emitting a soundless sound—

"Come on!"

"Follow me!"

"You see these things?"

"Our company is not short of money!"

"The benefits are off the charts!"

This is very tempting.

Instantly, treasures of light came one after another, rushing straight toward Nüwa.

There were lotus-shaped treasure lamps, and shining spirit pearls……

Fengxi stood not far from Nüwa, watching this scene, his eyes reddening with envy.

On the other side, Di Jun helped him voice his thoughts.

"With so much merit, isn't that amazing?"

"Perhaps, it really is amazing."

Taiyi let out a light sigh and gave the answer.

These two demon sovereigns, calling in the name of demon sovereigns, the spiritual treasures that came to join them were barely able to keep pace with Nüwa.

Gods compare with gods, angering the gods.

Same Honghuang, different people.

Fengxi looked at his pocket cleaner than his face, his feelings twisting and turning, really wanting to hide in a corner and draw circles.

"If I had known, the gold bullet offensive would be so useful……"

"Then, besides what I need for cultivation acceleration and donations to human development, I would have to keep some, not leaving not a single coin."

"But having said that……"

Fengxi stroked his chin.

"The Empress truly has ability."

"Annual military expenses to counter the Heavenly Court's army."

"Distributing basic benefits to the entire human faction."

"Also defending against demon race meteorological strikes, unconventional strikes, and various decisive disaster relief."

"And to counter the financial war launched by the Heavenly Court, which destroyed the human race's large factory production systems, cut off resource supplies and product sales channels, they nevertheless rolled out various measures, coupled with sparing-no-expense regulation and transfusion, maintaining overall stability while making progress, continuing development."

"With so many money‑sinking endeavors, it can almost be said that single‑handedly they bore the pressure from the Heavenly Court, yet stood firm, and in logistics there was no need to worry."

"The merit in the private coffer, after being fully spent, can be easily earned back, slightly enriching the human faction, benefits never ceased…… Recently they are also preparing a big project, the reincarnation project will be fully implemented and built."

"This financial capability is too strong."

Objective evaluation.

Nüwa's ability absolutely ranks among the very few top beings in Honghuang.

Even if one starts with a huge capital.

But she is challenging the ancient, enduring colossus—the demon race!

All post‑natal beings in Honghuang can belong to the demon race's scope!

Moreover, the demon race has the backing of the Heavenly Dao, with various favorable tendencies supporting it?

Faced with such an opponent, Nüwa has persisted to this day and even let the human race grow ever larger…… This level of ability, even the remaining three demon sovereigns would praise, treating her with solemn respect.

What's more, the foundation of all this is not built on internal exploitation and frantic acceleration.

Since Nüwa took charge of the human faction, various benefits have never ceased, and the nurturing grace has been fulfilled; otherwise, how could the human race still respect her as the 'Holy Mother'?

Constant exploitation, constant extraction, everything revolving around war, ignoring the livelihood of the common folk…… that would have long since lost hearts and virtue.

Moreover, even among the demon race, there are countless groups and beings that worship Nüwa.

Not relying on pretense or mere propaganda.

But rather, they have genuinely done many substantive deeds.

The demon race also has benefits, their days are getting better, many of which are presided over by Nüwa, worthy of her demon sovereign status.

But in the human aspect, Nüwa operated at full capacity, while for the demon race…… only seventy percent.

However, a thirty‑percent level of the goddess already meets the passing line required by the human way for the Heavenly Court's sovereign.

At fifty percent, the common folk are already very satisfied.

At seventy percent, the goddess was pushed onto the altar, all major demon clans revered her, and the populace adored her.

One hundred percent?

She then began an open, righteous rebellion, in the rhythm of transcending divinity, leaving opponents speechless!

These days, rebellion also requires ability.

Nüwa's ability is undoubtedly up to standard, and her excellent virtue is what allows the present mighty trend, sweeping across Honghuang.

Although this Empress also has some dark history—tossing around real‑estate business, earning a big sum.

She extensively bought blessed lands and pure immortal mountains at low prices, built houses there in places greatly beneficial to cultivation, and sold them at high prices, suspected of wielding the sickle on a large scale.

But the sickle that cuts the leeks does not target the common folk; for the vast majority of ordinary people it has no effect—let them just be spectators, and besides, don't sit crookedly to become a lackey.

If we truly compare cultivation matters, those Buddhist and Daoist academies that recruit disciples are plainly laid out.

Is Kunlun Mountain not up to standard?

Or is Mount Sumeru not deserving of the name pure land?

With enough effort and excellence, entering these top academies and sects for further study, some benefits naturally come.

Heavenly Venerable Ancient Buddha, money is being funneled in to run education.

Numinous Treasure Heavenly Venerable, moreover, teaches without distinction.

And even if they have no affinity with the academy.

That too can consider joining the Heavenly Court, to obtain cultivation benefits via this path.

As long as one wishes to cultivate, with firm and resolute will, there is always a way out.

Empress Nüwa cuts the leeks; she cuts those who are neither high nor low, those with ambitions higher than heaven but lives as thin as paper.

In the eyes of Great Luo, they are still mere ants, yet they consider themselves extraordinary, having carved a vast chasm between themselves and the common folk, unwilling to take the proper path of promotion.

Put in the terms of this era.

This is none other than not cutting the Three Corpses, not knowing the heavenly numbers.

Such leeks, once cut, are cut.

Even originally, they didn't even have the qualification to be cut—those blessed caverns and pure immortal mountains all have owners.

Originally the private domain of the Innate Divine Sages, how could any Tom, Dick, or Harry be allowed to enter?

If not for Nüwa's agreement with them, how could those clueless fellows be allowed to enjoy a high‑end lifestyle by jumping the ranks in their joint venture?

By the way, stimulating Honghuang's economic vitality, thriving and prosperous.

Everyone is quite satisfied.

Some gain abundant profits, wealth flowing in.

Some attain spiritual fulfillment, feeling they have transformed.

Too bad, in the end Nüwa met with misfortune.

The master of fortune—Fuxi—waited for her to become wealthy, and waited a long time.

Finally, the fruits were easily plucked— the proceeds from cutting the leeks were still turned into fertilizer and reinvested into Honghuang's macroeconomic regulation for the better.

This left Nüwa pacing back and forth on the heavenly terrace for a long time.

Considering how they could never fall to their death, the conscienceless older brother grinned, waiting to watch the show, then withdrew and noted it down in his little notebook.

And precisely for that reason.

In dealing with other divinities, aside from rivals, Empress Nüwa is magnanimous, winning hearts, causing countless Great Luo to serve her, with many loyal followers.

Only when facing her older brother does she become hot‑tempered, her mindset perilous, her virtue fickle, swinging high and low.

But overall, she remains a good deity, considering the way of humanity.

Like reincarnation.

This certainly is Nüwa, from her own stance, planting seeds in the struggle for dominance between humanity and the Demon Race, taking time to subvert the Demon Race's lower strata…… yet how could it not also embody her goodwill, giving those common folk the finest hope?

Even if withered in this life, in the next there is the possibility of splendid blossoming.

Public and private, light and dark, good and evil, right and wrong, ideal and reality…… all intertwined, ultimately leading Nüwa to walk such a path.

She is a deity, yet not merely a deity.

The subtlety of this, Fengxi feels…… aside from the Ancient God Great Sage who was most intimate and active in the same era as Empress Nüwa, he should be the one who understands Nüwa best.

Thinking of Nüwa's situation, he secretly shook his head.

'Tsk, Her Majesty is not easy either.'

'In outsiders' eyes, she is radiant and imposing.'

'But in reality?'

'Her psychological shadow is too large; bathed in her older brother's radiance, her whole person is blurred, as if living in his shadow.'

'Humanity establishes its way through self‑strength, seeking to break the myriad bonds of the Heavenly Dao and achieve triumph over heaven.'

'How could this not be Her Majesty Nüwa's personal journey?'

'From the standpoint of the Innate Divine Sages, she seeks to reach the pinnacle, no longer a member subject to the rules set by Pangu, but to become Pangu herself.'

'From her personal identity, she no longer wishes to be the younger sister, ordered about by her older brother, but to take full charge.'

'Humanity must be self‑strengthening.'

'She too must be self‑strengthening.'

'When humanity triumphs, it is also her moment of victory.'

'Public and private coincide perfectly here.'

'But can she truly succeed in the end?'

Fengxi's thoughts drifted far, and he thought of that day.

On that day, Yandi crossed the dust of time and space and simply walked over.

Thus he came to know a most extraordinary secret.

It was as if, in the mist of time, two faces were shifting.

'What is owed must be repaid.'

'Moreover.'

'Yandi, he is actually bait!'

'The Five Directional Heavenly Emperors, each one is utterly ruthless.'

'Cruel to others, even crueler to oneself.'

'I hope Her Majesty will be careful.'

'Poor me, Fengxi, with a heart of loyal sincerity.'

'But the tide sweeps on, all are overt schemes; I have no recourse, powerless to affect the overall situation, I can only look on.'

Fengxi lost himself.

Below the Dividing Treasure Cliff, his gaze stared blankly as the various gods each took their treasures.

In the end, all spiritual treasures were taken, leaving only a bald mountain cliff.

Crack!

A bolt of Chaos lightning flashed past, shattering and disintegrating the cliff, finally turning into the most basic vital energy that scattered, leaving no trace.

At that moment, Fengxi, startled by the thunder, finally awoke as if from a dream, following the gods' footsteps back to the Zixiao Palace.

There, the Dao Ancestor will fully unite with the Heavenly Dao, removing the final obstacle to the war between the witch and demon sides!

(End of chapter)